Sixers chase NBA conference finals and Bolden says 'anything less is a failure'

New 76ers player Jonah Bolden with his NBL legend father Bruce Bolden.Credit:Daniel Pockett

Jonah Bolden is one of the newest Philadelphia 76ers but he knows the NBA team is setting a high mark for success this season.

The 22-year-old Australian power forward didn’t mince words when asked if he was ready for the focus that will sit on Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and the rest of the Sixers as they look to better last season’s run to the Eastern conference semi-finals.

Bolden is only in his rookie NBA campaign but has played two seasons in Europe and has already learned about pressure from playing with Serbian power FMP Belgrade and storied Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Advertisement

“I don’t know if you were avoiding that word but there will be pressure on the team - personally I put the most pressure on myself,” Bolden said in Melbourne on Tuesday after training with NBL club Melbourne United.

“I think that goes on with a lot of other guys, especially at NBA level, which they put the most pressure on themselves along with the team pressure.

“How well they did last year will set the standard for this year and I think anything less than the Eastern Conference finals will be, as it should be, a failure in the eyes of the team and the coaching staff.”

As the son of long time NBL player Bruce Bolden, Jonah knows he is carrying his family’s legacy into a whole new level this season and 208-centimetre power forward is working hard to prepare himself.

Jonah BoldenCredit:Daniel Pockett

Bolden, who grew up in Sydney, has been working out with United and will head back to the US on Friday for the NBA’s rookie transition program in New York then report to Philadelphia for an early start to preseason with training camp to begin on September 1.

After being a second round draft pick in 2017, the Sixers decided to “stash” Bolden in Europe last season so he was overjoyed to finally be called up for this coming season after the Sixers offered him a four-year, US$7 million contract.

“I had my family there, my dad there, my girlfriend and my agent there when we actually signed on on the dotted line so it was very exciting,” Bolden said.

“It was a reward for myself and the work I have put in but I remind myself that this is only the beginning and I’m not satisfied with just signing an NBA contract - I want to get past the first and I’m focusing on how I’m going to better the team and that will start with bettering myself.”

Bolden is working hard on his strength and conditioning along with improving the consistency of his three-point shot which is already strong.

If he can take his shooting to an elite level, it could open the door to meaningful minutes with the Sixers who like his height, athleticism and skill but need him to space the floor and make room for Simmons and Embiid to attack the basket.

Bolden is one of 11 Australians with NBA contracts heading into training camp while rookie forward Deng Adel remains in contention for a training camp contract after performing well during NBA Summer League play.

Bolden and the Sixers will play Melbourne United in Philadelphia on the morning of the AFL grand final but he said Sixers coach Brett Brown hasn’t got him scouting his NBL opponents.

Joe Ingles, Dante Exum and Adel have also worked out with United in recent weeks.

“No - Brett just says to make sure I’m working hard in the runs with them and get that consistency with my shot,” Bolden said.

“Just working hard in whatever I’m doing whether it is with these guys or without these guys.

“Them playing against NBA teams last year was another notch and playing this year will take the marketing and the league to a whole other level.”